Mr. Joseph J. Karasek, 89, formerly of Fort Herkimer and most recently of Claxton Manor, passed away on Saturday morning, October 7, 2006, in Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, Ilion. He was born on December 27, 1916 in Fort Herkimer, son of the late Joseph and Mary (Herkel) Karasek, and was educated in Herkimer schools. His marriage to Jane Osredkar took place on October 4, 1941 in St. Mary's Church, Little Falls. Mrs. Karasek passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2005. Joseph proudly served his country for over four years enlisting with the United States Army on March 27, 1941 and received an honorable discharge on July 28, 1945, holding the rank of Tech. Sergeant. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater with the 754th Tank Battalion and was the proud recipient of four Battle Stars, American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal. He was active in the 754th Tank Battalion Association reunions, attending yearly reunions around the country for nearly 50 years. He first worked at National Automobile Fibers in Little Falls/Ohio then worked for General Electric in Utica and retired from the Special Metals Company in 1983. He was a life member of the Michael S. Pliseck Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4915 in Herkimer.Joe was of the Catholic faith and a communicant of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Mohawk. A beloved father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, he will be deeply missed by his entire family. He truly left his loved ones with many happy memories. Mr. Karasek leaves his son and daughter in law, Joseph P. Karasek and wife, Frances of Mohawk; a daughter and son-in-law, Joyce Bradle and husband, Tom of Frankfort; a brother, Rudy Karasek and wife, Helen of Camillus; a sister, Mary Sigmund of Texas; his three grandchildren, Eric LoPresti, Gregg Crandall and wife, Jenni, and Melissa Hope; five great-grandchildren, Joshua LoPresti, Nicholas Crandall, Emily Crandall, Kaylee Hope and Kyrah Hope. He also leaves two sisters-in-law, Blanche Karasek of Illinois, and Frances Osredkar of Las Vegas, NV; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, Edward Karasek. The family will be present in the Holleran & Enea Family Funeral Home, 220 N. Washington St., Herkimer, to receive relatives and friends on Monday, October 9, 2006, from 5-7 p.m. Members of the Michael S. Pliseck Post #4915 will gather at the funeral home at 6 p.m. Monday evening to conduct their service. Mr. Karasek's funeral will commence at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 from the chapel of the funeral home and at 11 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, Mohawk, where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Mark Cunningham, Sacramental minister, assisted by Sister Mary Jo Tallman, Parish Life Director. Funeral procession will follow to Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, where he will be laid to rest. Full Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army. Kindly consider memorial offerings to the American Red Cross, envelopes are available at the funeral home. The family would like to thank the entire Claxton Manor Staff for making Dad feel comfortable in his second home. For directions to the funeral home, click the facilities link above.